Vending machine for the production of customized photos and artcards including a set of instructions for a manipulation of an image

ABSTRACT

A vending machine including a method of creating a set of instructions for the manipulation of an image is disclosed including the steps of displaying an initial array of sample images for a user to select from; accepting a user&#39;s selection of at least one of the sample images; utilizing attributes of the images the selection to produce a further array of sample images; iteratively applying the previous steps until such time as the user selects at least one final suitable image; utilizing the steps used in the creation of the sample image as the set of instructions; outputting the set of instructions. The method can further include scanning a user&#39;s photograph and utilizing the scanned photograph as an initial image in the creation of each of the sample images. The instructions can be printed out in an encoded form on one surface of a card in addition to printing out a visual representation of the instructions on a second surface of the card. Additionally the manipulated image can itself be printed out. Various techniques can be used in the creation of images including genetic algorithm or programming techniques to create the array. Further, ‘best so far’ images can be saved for use in the creation of further images.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The following Australian provisional patent applications are herebyincorporated by cross-reference. For the purpose of location andidentification, U.S. patent applications identified by their U.S. patentapplication Ser. Nos. (USSN) are listed alongside the Australianapplications from which the U.S. patent applications claim the right ofpriority.

CROSS-REFERENCED US PAT/PATENT APPLICATION AUSTRALIAN (CLAIMING RIGHT OFPRIORITY FROM PROVISIONAL PATENT AUSTRALIAN PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO.APPLICATION) PO7991 09/113,060 PO8505 09/113,070 PO7988 09/113,073PO9395 09/112,748 PO8017 09/112,747 PO8014 09/112,776 PO8025 09/112,750PO8032 09/112,746 PO7999 09/112,743 PO7998 09/112,742 PO8031 09/112,741PO8030 09/112,740 PO7997 09/112,739 PO7979 09/113,053 PO8015 09/112,738PO7978 09/113,067 PO7982 09/113,063 PO7989 09/113,069 PO8019 09/112,744PO7980 09/113,058 PO8018 09/112,777 PO7938 09/113,224 PO8016 09/112,804PO8024 09/112,805 PO7940 09/113,072 PO7939 09/112,785 PO8501 09/112,797PO8500 09/112,796 PO7987 09/113,071 PO8022 09/112,824 PO8497 09/113,090PO8020 09/112,823 PO8023 09/113,222 PO8504 09/112,786 PO8000 09/113,051PO7977 09/112,782 PO7934 09/113,056 PO7990 09/113,059 PO8499 09/113,091PO8502 09/112,753 PO7981 09/113,055 PO7986 09/113,057 PO7983 09/113,054PO8026 09/112,752 PO8027 09/112,759 PO8028 09/112,757 PO9394 09/112,758PO9396 09/113,107 PO9397 09/112,829 PO9398 09/112,792 PO9399 6,106,147PO9400 09/112,790 PO9401 09/112,789 PO9402 09/112,788 PO9403 09/112,795PO9405 09/112,749 PP0959 09/112,784 PP1397 09/112,783 PP2370 09/112,781PP2371 09/113,052 PO8003 09/112,834 PO8005 09/113,103 PO9404 09/113,101PO8066 09/112,751 PO8072 09/112,787 PO8040 09/112,802 PO8071 09/112,803PO8047 09/113,097 PO8035 09/113,099 PO8044 09/113,084 PO8063 09/113,066PO8057 09/112,778 PO8056 09/112,779 PO8069 09/113,077 PO8049 09/113,061PO8036 09/112,818 PO8048 09/112,816 PO8070 09/112,772 PO8067 09/112,819PO8001 09/112,815 PO8038 09/113,096 PO8033 09/113,068 PO8002 09/113,095PO8068 09/112,808 PO8062 09/112,809 PO8034 09/112,780 PO8039 09/113,083PO8041 09/113,121 PO8004 09/113,122 PO8037 09/112,793 PO8043 09/112,794PO8042 09/113,128 PO8064 09/113,127 PO9389 09/112,756 PO9391 09/112,755PP0888 09/112,754 PP0891 09/112,811 PP0890 09/112,812 PP0873 09/112,813PP0993 09/112,814 PP0890 09/112,764 PP1398 09/112,765 PP2592 09/112,767PP2593 09/112,768 PP3991 09/112,807 PP3987 09/112,806 PP3985 09/112,820PP3983 09/112,821 PO7935 09/112,822 PO7936 09/112,825 PO7937 09/112,826PO8061 09/112,827 PO8054 09/112,828 PO8065 6,071,750 PO8055 09/113,108PO8053 09/113,109 PO8078 09/113,123 PO7933 09/113,114 PO7950 09/113,115PO7949 09/113,129 PO8060 09/113,124 PO8059 09/113,125 PO8073 09/113,126PO8076 09/113,119 PO8075 09/113,120 PO8079 09/113,221 PO8050 09/113,116PO8052 09/113,118 PO7948 09/113,117 PO7951 09/113,113 PO8074 09/113,130PO7941 09/113,110 PO8077 09/113,112 PO8058 09/113,087 PO8051 09/113,074PO8045 6,110,754 PO7952 09/113,088 PO8046 09/112,771 PO9390 09/112,769PO9392 09/112,770 PO0889 09/112,798 PP0887 09/112,801 PP0882 09/112,800PP0874 09/112,799 PO1396 09/113,098 PO3989 09/112,833 PO2591 09/112,832PP3990 09/112,831 PP3986 09/112,830 PP3984 09/112,836 PP3982 09/112,835PP0895 09/113,102 PP0870 09/113,106 PP0869 09/113,105 PP0887 09/113,104PP0885 09/112,810 PP0884 09/112,766 PP0886 09/113,085 PP0871 09/113,086PP0876 09/113,094 PP0877 09/112,760 PP0878 09/112,773 PP0879 09/112,774PP0883 09/112,775 PP0880 6,152,619 PP0881 09/113,092 PO8006 6,087,638PO8007 09/113,093 PO8008 09/113,062 PO8010 6,041,600 PO8011 09/113,082PO7947 6,067,797 PO7944 09/113,080 PO7946 6,044,646 PO9393 09/113,065PP0875 09/113,078 PP0894 09/113,075

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the production of images and structuresfor applying translation to images and, in particular, discloses aVending Machine for the Production of Customised Photographs andArtcards.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The following Australian provisional patent applications are herebyincorporated by cross-reference. For the purposes of location andidentification, US patent applications identified by their US patentapplication serial numbers (USSN) are listed alongside the Australianapplications from which the US patent applications claim the right ofpriority.

CROSS-REFERENCED US PAT/PATENT APPLICATION AUSTRALIAN (CLAIMING RIGHT OFPRIORITY FROM PROVISIONAL PATENT AUSTRALIAN PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO.APPLICATION) PO7991 09/113,060 PO8505 09/113,070 PO7988 09/113,073PO9395 09/112,748 PO8017 09/112,747 PO8014 09/112,776 PO8025 09/112,750PO8032 09/112,746 PO7999 09/112,743 PO7998 09/112,742 PO8031 09/112,741PO8030 09/112,740 PO7997 09/112,739 PO7979 09/113,053 PO8015 09/112,738PO7978 09/113,067 PO7982 09/113,063 PO7989 09/113,069 PO8019 09/112,744PO7980 09/113,058 PO8018 09/112,777 PO7938 09/113,224 PO8016 09/112,804PO8024 09/112,805 PO7940 09/113,072 PO7939 09/112,785 PO8501 09/112,797PO8500 09/112,796 PO7987 09/113,071 PO8022 09/112,824 PO8497 09/113,090PO8020 09/112,823 PO8023 09/113,222 PO8504 09/112,786 PO8000 09/113,051PO7977 09/112,782 PO7934 09/113,056 PO7990 09/113,059 PO8499 09/113,091PO8502 09/112,753 PO7981 09/113,055 PO7986 09/113,057 PO7983 09/113,054PO8026 09/112,752 PO8027 09/112,759 PO8028 09/112,757 PO9394 09/112,758PO9396 09/113,107 PO9397 09/112,829 PO9398 09/112,792 PO9399 6,106,147PO9400 09/112,790 PO9401 09/112,789 PO9402 09/112,788 PO9403 09/112,795PO9405 09/112,749 PP0959 09/112,784 PP1397 09/112,783 PP2370 09/112,781PP2371 09/113,052 PO8003 09/112,834 PO8005 09/113,103 PO9404 09/113,101PO8066 09/112,751 PO8072 09/112,787 PO8040 09/112,802 PO8071 09/112,803PO8047 09/113,097 PO8035 09/113,099 PO8044 09/113,084 PO8063 09/113,066PO8057 09/112,778 PO8056 09/112,779 PO8069 09/113,077 PO8049 09/113,061PO8036 09/112,818 PO8048 09/112,816 PO8070 09/112,772 PO8067 09/112,819PO8001 09/112,815 PO8038 09/113,096 PO8033 09/113,068 PO8002 09/113,095PO8068 09/112,808 PO8062 09/112,809 PO8034 09/112,780 PO8039 09/113,083PO8041 09/113,121 PO8004 09/113,122 PO8037 09/112,793 PO8043 09/112,794PO8042 09/113,128 PO8064 09/113,127 PO9389 09/112,756 PO9391 09/112,755PP0888 09/112,754 PP0891 09/112,811 PP0890 09/112,812 PP0873 09/112,813PP0993 09/112,814 PP0890 09/112,764 PP1398 09/112,765 PP2592 09/112,767PP2593 09/112,768 PP3991 09/112,807 PP3987 09/112,806 PP3985 09/112,820PP3983 09/112,821 PO7935 09/112,822 PO7936 09/112,825 PO7937 09/112,826PO8061 09/112,827 PO8054 09/112,828 PO8065 6,071,750 PO8055 09/113,108PO8053 09/113,109 PO8078 09/113,123 PO7933 09/113,114 PO7950 09/113,115PO7949 09/113,129 PO8060 09/113,124 PO8059 09/113,125 PO8073 09/113,126PO8076 09/113,119 PO8075 09/113,120 PO8079 09/113,221 PO8050 09/113,116PO8052 09/113,118 PO7948 09/113,117 PO7951 09/113,113 PO8074 09/113,130PO7941 09/113,110 PO8077 09/113,112 PO8058 09/113,087 PO8051 09/113,074PO8045 6,110,754 PO7952 09/113,088 PO8046 09/112,771 PO9390 09/112,769PO9392 09/112,770 PO0889 09/112,798 PP0887 09/112,801 PP0882 09/112,800PP0874 09/112,799 PO1396 09/113,098 PO3989 09/112,833 PO2591 09/112,832PP3990 09/112,831 PP3986 09/112,830 PP3984 09/112,836 PP3982 09/112,835PP0895 09/113,102 PP0870 09/113,106 PP0869 09/113,105 PP0887 09/113,104PP0885 09/112,810 PP0884 09/112,766 PP0886 09/113,085 PP0871 09/113,086PP0876 09/113,094 PP0877 09/112,760 PP0878 09/112,773 PP0879 09/112,774PP0883 09/112,775 PP0880 6,152,619 PP0881 09/113,092 PO8006 6,087,638PO8007 09/113,093 PO8008 09/113,062 PO8010 6,041,600 PO8011 09/113,082PO7947 6,067,797 PO7944 09/113,080 PO7946 6,044,646 PO9393 09/113,065PP0875 09/113,078 PP0894 09/113,075

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the production of images and structuresfor applying translation to images and, in particular, discloses aVending Machine for the Production of Customised Photographs andArtcards.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is designed to interact with a new camera systeminvented and developed by the present applicant.

Such a hand held camera device is described in Australian ProvisionalPatent Application No. PO7991 entitled “Image Processing Method andApparatus (Art 01)” filed Jul. 15, 1997 with a large number ofassociated applications in addition to Australian Provisional patentApplication No. PO 8505 entitled “Image Processing Method and Apparatus(Art 01a)” filed Aug. 11, 1997, again with a number of associatedapplications. To the extent necessary, the above specifications arehereby incorporated by cross reference.

The aforementioned patent specifications disclose a camera system,hereinafter known as an “Artcam” type camera, wherein sensed images canbe directly printed out by an Artcam portable camera unit. Further, theaforementioned specification discloses means and methods for performingvarious manipulations on images captured by the camera sensing deviceleading to the production of various effects in any output image. Themanipulations are disclosed to be highly flexible in nature and can beimplemented through the insertion into the Artcam of cards havingencoded thereon various instructions for the manipulation of images, thecards hereinafter being known as Artcards. The Artcam finther hassignificant onboard processing power through the utilization of ArtcamCentral Processor unit (ACP) which is interconnected to a memory devicefor the storage of important data and images.

It will be evident that, with such an arrangement of Artcam devices andcorresponding Artcards, over a time, a huge proliferation of Artcardscan arise. The Artcards can be provided for the arbitrary manipulationof an image and, it would therefore be desirable to provide a user withthe capability of creating Artcards on demand in order to suit personalprojected requirements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide for an automatedArtcard creation machine which provides a user with a customisableArtcard so as to meet their personal needs.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method of creating a set of instructions for the manipulationof an image, the method comprising the steps of displaying an initialarray of sample images for a user to select from; accepting a user'sselection of at least one of the sample images; utilizing attributes ofthe images selected to produce a further array of sample images;iteratively applying the previous steps until such time as the userselects at least one final suitable image; utilising the steps used inthe creation of the sample image as the set of instructions; outputtingthe set of instructions.

The method can further include scanning a user's photograph andutilising the scanned photograph as an initial image in the creation ofeach of the sample images. The instructions can be printed out in anencoded form on one surface of a card in addition to printing out avisual representation of the instructions on a second surface of thecard. Additionally, the manipulated image can itself be printed out.

Various techniques can be used in the creation of images includinggenetic algorithm or genetic programming techniques to create the array.Further, ‘best so far’ images can be saved for use in the creation offurther images.

The method is preferably implemented in the form of a computer systemincorporated into a vending machine for dispensing cards and photos.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of thepresent invention, preferred forms of the invention will now bedescribed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic arrangement of the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example interface of the preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 3 illustrates one form of arrangement of software modules withinthe preferred embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS

In the preferred embodiment, an Artcard photo and vending machine isprovided which enables a user to construct their own Artcard on demand.The vending machine can be constructed in a similar manner to the usualphoto vending machines however, this is not essential with the onlyrequirement being significant computational resources provided for thecreation of automatic Artcards within a given time.

Turning initially to FIG. 1, there is illustrated schematically thefunctional components of the preferred embodiment 1. The preferredembodiment 1 can include a high resolution scanner 2 for the scanning inof a user's example photo 3. The scanner 2 is again optional and allowsusers to manipulate their own photos to provide an added degree ofrealism to the Artcard production system. The photo 3 scanned by scanner2 is forwarded to the core computer system 4 which can comprise a highend PC type computer with a suitable operating system and programs. Thecomputer 4 is responsible for storage of the scanned photos and for thecontrol of a photo printer and Artcard printer 5. The photo printer andArtcard printer 5 is preferably able to print on both sides of an outputprint media and can utilise printing technologies as disclosed in theaforementioned patent specification. The printer 5 outputs a manipulatedversion of user's photo 6 in addition to a corresponding Artcard 7(being printed on both surfaces) which contains encoded instructions forthe image processing manipulation of the photo 3 in order to produce thephoto 6. The encoded instructions being output in an Artcard format asdescribed in accordance with those technologies discussed in theaforementioned patent specification.

The computer system 4 also includes a user interface 9 which can be of astandard touch screen type user interface. The computer system alsocontrols or incorporates a payment system 10 which can comprise astandard coin or note payment system or could also comprise a creditcard payment system with appropriate network connections to a creditcard service provider for authorisation of transactions. Additionally,EFTPOS facilities might be provided.

A user inserts their photo 3 in a scanner slot 2 and the photo isscanned stored and subsequently ejected. Subsequently, the userinterrogates the user interface 9 which can be located inside the “photobooth”. The user interface 9 can contain instructions initially forentry of money in the payment system 10. However, the core of the userinterface 9 is in the creation of a wide range of Artcards by means ofthe touch screen facility.

An example of a suitable user interface is that depicted in FIG. 2. Thecore user interface can consist of presenting a user with a large numberof sample thumbnail images 13 which have been manipulated in accordancewith methods which will be discussed hereinafter. Initially, the imagemanipulation 13 may be divided by subject areas, for example, corporate,birthdays, seasonal events, types of manipulations etc. The user isinstructed to choose by means of the touch sensitive screen a particularimage, e.g. 13 which they like. If no such image exists, the user canchoose an arrow button 14 which provides a further array ofmanipulations on a current level. When the user chooses an image 13,this image is utilised in the production of further alternatives whichhave a similar “theme” to the chosen image and present a series ofalternative manipulations. The user is able to then continue choosingimages from the selected variations.

Desirable images can be saved using a save button 17 and the userinterface provides for the viewing of saved choices 18 along side thecurrent array. Navigation buttons 15 and 16 provide for alternativeforms of navigation with the button 15 going back to a previous screenand the button 16 returning the user to a higher level. In this way, theuser is able to navigate through a wide range of Artcards so as toproduce their own particular customised requirements. In this way,unique artistic creative endeavours can be encouraged for the productionof unique Artcards.

The production of such a wide range of Artcards relies upon theutilisation of genetic algorithm techniques to provide the user with therole of the creator in the production process. Turning now to FIG. 3,there is illustrated an example of the software layout of theapplication running on the computer system 4 (FIG. 1). The softwarelayout 20 includes a genetic pool 21 of possible image manipulations andtheme manipulations which can be applied to a particular image. Thisgenetic pool is utilised by a genetic algorithm core 22 for the creationof new species. For an introduction to the field of genetic algorithmsstandard text, e.g. “Genetic Algorithms” by Golberg, in addition to thelatest proceedings in this field. Alternatively, the field of geneticprogramming could be utilised and, in this respect, reference to thestandard works by Koza entitled “Genetic Programming”.

The genetic algorithm core can also utilise the users' choices 23 in thecreation of new suitable images. The output of the genetic algorithmcore can comprise suitable proposed new images which are then forwardedto a user interface module 25 for display on the touch screen display.

Returning again to FIG. 2, once a user has found a desirable selection,an accept button 19 can be activated which results in the user paymentbeing required and accepted and which in turn results in the computersystem 4 (FIG. 1) instructing the printer 5 to output the image 6 inaddition to the series of image manipulations on the Artcard 7 forutilisation by a user in other devices which accept Artcards 7 (forexample, the aforementioned Artcam devices).

It would therefore be readily evident to the person skilled in the artthat the preferred embodiment provides for a system for creating complexpersonalised customisable images which can then be independentlyutilised by users. The utilisation of multiple images results in asignificant combinatorial explosion of possible Artcards which can inturn lead to a significant personalisation.

Of course, many other types of core techniques could be utilised in theconstruction of the images. For example, other non-genetic techniquesmay be suitable. In a worst case, each image choice could be manuallyprepared. Further other suer interface facilities could be provided.Additionally, the present invention can be implemented in a non vendingmachine environment such as on a standard computer system.

The operation of the.preferred embodiment allows for the significantexpression of personal creativity and, it is envisaged, that individualcreations by Artists may themselves take on a significant value inproviding an Artcard “series” of a individual artist etc.

It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerousvariations and/or modifications any be made to the present invention asshown in the specific embodiment without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiment is,therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and notrestrictive.

Ink Jet Technologies

The embodiments of the invention use an ink jet printer type device. Ofcourse many different devices could be used. However presently popularink jet printing technologies are unlikely to be suitable.

The most significant problem with thermal ink jet is power consumption.This is approximately 100 times that required for high speed, and stemsfrom the energy-inefficient means of drop ejection. This involves therapid boiling of water to produce a vapor bubble which expels the ink.Water has a very high heat capacity, and must be superheated in thermalink jet applications. This leads to an efficiency of around 0.02%, fromelectricity input to drop momentum (and increased surface area) out.

The most significant problem with piezoelectric ink jet is size andcost. Piezoelectric crystals have a very small deflection at reasonabledrive voltages, and therefore require a large area for each nozzle.Also, each piezoelectric actuator must be connected to its drive circuiton a separate substrate. This is not a significant problem at thecurrent limit of around 300 nozzles per printhead, but is a majorimpediment to the fabrication of pagewidth printheads with 19,200nozzles.

Ideally, the ink jet technologies used meet the stringent requirementsof in-camera digital color printing and other high quality, high speed,low cost printing applications. To meet the requirements of digitalphotography, new ink jet technologies have been created. The targetfeatures include:

low power (less than 10 Watts)

high resolution capability (1,600 dpi or more)

photographic quality output

low manufacturing cost

small size (pagewidth times minimum cross section)

high speed (<2 seconds per page).

All of these features can be met or exceeded by the ink jet systemsdescribed below with differing levels of difficulty. Forty-fivedifferent ink jet technologies have been developed by the Assignee togive a wide range of choices for high volume manufacture. Thesetechnologies form part of separate applications assigned to the presentAssignee as set out in the table under the heading Cross References toRelated Applications.

The ink jet designs shown here are suitable for a wide range of digitalprinting systems, from battery powered one-time use digital cameras,through to desktop and network printers, and through to commercialprinting systems.

For ease of manufacture using standard process equipment, the printheadis designed to be a monolithic 0.5 micron CMOS chip with MEMS postprocessing. For color photographic applications, the printhead is 100 mmlong, with a width which depends upon the ink jet type. The smallestprinthead designed is IJ38, which is 0.35 mm wide, giving a chip area of35 square mm. The printheads each contain 19,200 nozzles plus data andcontrol circuitry.

Ink is supplied to the back of the printhead by injection molded plasticink channels. The molding requires 50 micron features, which can becreated using a lithographically micromachined insert in a standardinjection molding tool. Ink flows through holes etched through the waferto the nozzle chambers fabricated on the front surface of the wafer. Theprinthead is connected to the camera circuitry by tape automatedbonding.

Tables of Drop-on-Demand Ink Jets

Eleven important characteristics of the fundamental operation ofindividual ink jet nozzles have been identified. These characteristicsare largely orthogonal, and so can be elucidated as an elevendimensional matrix. Most of the eleven axes of this matrix includeentries developed by the present assignee.

The following tables form the axes of an eleven dimensional table of inkjet types.

Actuator mechanism (18 types)

Basic operation mode (7 types)

Auxiliary mechanism (8 types)

Actuator amplification or modification method (17 types)

Actuator motion (19 types)

Nozzle refill method (4 types)

Method of restricting back-flow through inlet (10 types)

Nozzle clearing method (9 types)

Nozzle plate construction (9 types)

Drop ejection direction (5 types)

Ink type (7 types)

The complete eleven dimensional table represented by these axes contains36.9 billion possible configurations of ink jet nozzle. While not all ofthe possible combinations result in a viable ink jet technology, manymillion configurations are viable. It is clearly impractical toelucidate all of the possible configurations. Instead, certain ink jettypes have been investigated in detail. These are designated IJ01 toIJ45, which match the docket numbers in the table under the headingCross References to Related Applications.

Other ink jet configurations can readily be derived from theseforty-five examples by substituting alternative configurations along oneor more of the 11 axes. Most of the IJ01 to IJ45 examples can be madeinto ink jet printheads with characteristics superior to any currentlyavailable ink jet technology.

Where there are prior art examples known to the inventor, one or more ofthese examples are listed in the examples column of the tables below.The IJ01 to IJ45 series are also listed in the examples column. In somecases, a print technology may be listed more than once in a table, whereit shares characteristics with more than one entry.

Suitable applications for the ink jet technologies include: Homeprinters, Office network printers, Short run digital printers,Commercial print systems, Fabric printers, Pocket printers, Internet WWWprinters, Video printers, Medical imagng, Wide format printers, NotebookPC printers, Fax machines, Industrial printing systems, Photocopiers,Photographic minilabs etc.

The information associated with the aforementioned 11 dimensional matrixare set out in the following tables.

Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples ACTUATOR MECHANISM(APPLIED ONLY TO SELECTED INK DROPS) Thermal An electrothermal heaterheats the ♦ Large force generated ♦ High power ♦ Canon Bubblejet bubbleink to above boiling point, ♦ Simple construction ♦ Ink carrier limitedto water   1979 Endo et al GB transferring significant heat to the ♦ Nomoving parts ♦ Low efficiency   patent 2,007,162 aqueous ink. A bubblenucleates and ♦ Fast operation ♦ High temperatures required ♦ Xeroxheater-in-pit quickly forms, expelling the ink. ♦ Small chip arearequired for actuator ♦ High mechanical stress   1990 Hawkins et al Theefficiency of the process is low, ♦ Unusual materials required   U.S.Pat. No. 4,899,181 with typically less than 0.05% of the ♦ Large drivetransistors ♦ Hewlett-Packard TIJ electrical energy being transformed ♦Cavitation causes actuator failure   1982 Vaught et al into kineticenergy of the drop. ♦ Kogation reduces bubble formation   U.S. Pat No.4,490,728 ♦ Large print heads are difficult to fabricate Piezoelectric Apiezoelectric crystal such as lead ♦ Low power consumption ♦ Very largearea required for actuator ♦ Kyser et al lanthanum zirconate (PZT) is ♦Many ink types can be used ♦ Difficult to integrate with electronics  U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,398 electrically activated, and either ♦ Fastoperation ♦ High voltage drive transistors required ♦ Zoltan U.S. Pat.No. 3,683,212 expands, shears, or bends to apply ♦ High efficiency ♦Full pagewidth print heads impractical ♦ 1973 Stemme pressure to theink, ejecting drops.   due to actuator size   U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,120 ♦Requires electrical poling in high field ♦ Epson Stylus   strengthsduring manufacture ♦ Tektronix ♦ IJ04 Electro- An electric field is usedto activate ♦ Low power consumption ♦ Low maximum strain (approx. 0.01%)♦ Seiko Epson, Usui et all strictive electrostriction in relaxormaterials ♦ Many ink types can be used ♦ Large area required foractuator due to   JP 253401/96 such as lead lanthanum zirconate ♦ Lowthermal expansion   low strain ♦ IJ04 titanate (PLZT) or lead magnesium♦ Electric field strength ♦ Response speed is marginal (˜10 μs) niobate(PMN).   required (approx. 3.5 V/μm) ♦ High voltage drive transitorsrequired   can be generated without difficulty ♦ Full pagewidth printheads impractical ♦ Does not require electrical poling   due to actuatorsize Ferroelectric An electric field is used to induce a ♦ Low powerconsumption ♦ Difficult to integrate with electronics ♦ IJ04 phasetransition between the ♦ Many ink types can be used ♦ Unusual materialssuch as PLZSnT are antiferroelectric (AFE) and ♦ Fast operation (<1 μs)  required ferroelectric (FE) phase. Perovskite ♦ Relatively highlongitudinal strain ♦ Actuators require a large area materials such astin modified lead ♦ High efficiency lanthanum zirconate titanate ♦Electric field strength of around (PLZSnT) exhibit large strains of up  3 V/μm can be readily provided to 1% associated with the AFE to FE phasetransition. Electrostatic Conductive plates are separated by a ♦ Lowpower consumption ♦ Difficult to operate electrostatic ♦ IJ02, IJ04plates compressible or fluid dielectric ♦ Many ink types can be used  devices in an aqueous environment (usually air). Upon application of a ♦Fast operation ♦ The electrostatic actuator will normally voltage, theplates attract each other   need to be separated from the ink anddisplace ink, causing drop ♦ Very large area required to achieveejection. The conductive plates may   high forces be in a comb orhoneycomb ♦ High voltage drive transistors may be required structure, orstacked to increase the ♦ Full pagewidth print heads are not surfacearea and therefore the force.   competitive due to actuator sizeElectrostatic A strong electric field is applied to ♦ Low currentconsumption ♦ High voltage required ♦ 1989 Saito et al, U.S. Pat. No.pull on ink the ink, whereupon electrostatic ♦ Low temperature ♦ May bedamaged by sparks due to air   4,799,068 attraction accelerates the inktowards   breakdown ♦ 1989 Miura et al, the print medium. ♦ Requiredfield strength increases as the   U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,954   drop sizedecreases ♦ Tone-jet ♦ High voltage drive transistors required ♦Electrostatic field attracts dust Permanent An electromagnet directlyattracts a ♦ Low power consumption ♦ Complex fabrication ♦ IJ07, IJ10magnet electro- permanent magnet, displacing ink ♦ Many ink types can beused ♦ Permanent magnetic material such as magnetic and causing dropejection. Rare earth ♦ Fast operation   Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB)required. magnets with a field strength around ♦ High efficiency ♦ Highlocal currents required 1 Tesla can be used. Examples are: ♦ Easyextension from single ♦ Copper metalization should be used for SamariumCobalt (SaCo) and   nozzles to pagewidth print heads   longelectromigration lifetime and low resistivity magnetic materials in the♦ Pigmented inks are usually infeasible neodymium iron boron family ♦Operating temperature limited to the (NdFeB, NdDyFeBNb, NdDyFeB, etc)  Curie temperature (around 540K) Soft magnetic A solenoid induced amagnetic field ♦ Low power consumption ♦ Complex fabrication ♦ IJ01,IJ05, IJ08, IJ10 core electro- in a soft magnetic core or yoke ♦ Manyink types can be used ♦ Materials not usually present in a   IJ12, IJ14,IJ15, IJ17 magnetic fabricated from a ferrous material ♦ Fast operation  CMOS fab such as NiFe, CoNiFe, or such as electroplated iron alloyssuch ♦ High efficiency   CoFe are required as CoNiFe [1], CoFe, or NiFealloys. ♦ Easy extension from single ♦ High local currents requiredTypically, the soft magnetic material   nozzles to pagewidth print heads♦ Copper metalization should be used for is in two parts, which arenormally   long electromigration lifetime and low resistivity held apartby a spring. When the ♦ Electroplating is required solenoid is actuated,the two parts ♦ High saturation flux density is required attract,displacing the ink.   (2.0-2.1 T is achievable with CoNiFe [1]) LorenzThe Lorenz force acting on a current ♦ Low power consumption ♦ Forceacts as a twisting motion ♦ IJ06, IJ11, IJ13, IJ16 force carrying wirein a magnetic field is ♦ Many ink types can be used ♦ Typically, only aquarter of the utilized. ♦ Fast operation   solenoid length providesforce in a This allows the magnetic field to be ♦ High efficiency  useful direction supplied externally to the print head, ♦ Easy extensionfrom single ♦ High local contents required for example with rare earth  nozzles to pagewidth print heads ♦ Copper metalization should be usedfor permanent magnets.   long electromigration lifetime and lowresistivity Only the current carrying wire need ♦ Pigmented inks areusually infeasible be fabricated on the print-head, simplifyingmaterials requirements. Magneto- The actuator uses the giant ♦ Many inktypes can be used ♦ Force acts as a twisting motion ♦ Fishenbeck, U.S.Pat. No. striction magnetostrictive effect of materials ♦ Fast operation♦ Unusual materials such as Terfenol-D   4,032,929 such as Terfenol-D(an alloy of ♦ Easy extension from single   are required ♦ IJ25 terbium,dysprosium and iron   nozzles to pagewidth print heads ♦ High localcurrents required developed at the Naval Ordnance ♦ High force isavailable ♦ Copper metalization should be used for Laboratory, henceTer-Fe-NOL). For   long electromigration lifetime and low bestefficiency, the actuator should   resisitivity be pre-stressed toapprox. 8 MPa. ♦ Pre-stressing may be required Surface Ink underpositive pressure is held in ♦ Low power consumption ♦ Requiressupplementary force to effect ♦ Silverbrook, EP 0771 tension a nozzle bysurface tension. The ♦ Simple construction   drop separation   658 A2and related reduction surface tension of the ink is reduced ♦ No unusualmaterials ♦ Requires special ink surfactants   patent applications belowthe bubble threshold, causing   required in fabrication ♦ Speed may belimited by surfactant the ink to egress from the nozzle. ♦ Highefficiency   properties ♦ Easy extension from single   nozzles topagewidth print heads Viscosity The ink viscosity is locally reduced ♦Simple construction ♦ Requires supplementary force to effect ♦Silverbrook, EP 0771 reduction to select which drops are to be ♦ Nounusual materials   drop separation   658 A2 and related ejected. Aviscosity reduction can be   required in fabrication ♦ Requires specialink viscosity   patent applications achieved electrothermally with most♦ Easy extension from single   properties inks, but special inks can be  nozzles to pagewidth print heads ♦ High speed is difficult to achieveengineered for a 100:1 viscosity ♦ Requires oscillating ink pressurereduction. ♦ A high temperature difference   (typically 80 degrees) isrequired Acoustic An acoustic wave is generated and ♦ Can operatewithout a ♦ Complex drive circuitry ♦ 1993 Hadimioglu et al, focussedupon the drop ejection   nozzle plate ♦ Complex fabrication   EUP550,192 region. ♦ Low efficiency ♦ 1993 Elrod et al, EUP 572,220 ♦ Poorcontrol of drop position ♦ Poor control of drop volume Thermoelastic Anactuator which relies upon ♦ Low power consumption ♦ Efficient aqueousoperation requires a ♦ IJ03, IJ09, IJ17, IJ18 bend actuator differentialthermal expansion upon ♦ Many ink types can be used   thermal insulatoron the hot side   IJ19, IJ20, IJ21, IJ22 Joule heating is used. ♦ Simpleplanar fabrication ♦ Corrosion prevention can be difficult   IJ23, IJ24,IJ27, IJ28 ♦ Small chip area required for ♦ Pigmented inks may beinfeasible, as   IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32   each actuator   pigmentparticles may jam the bend   IJ33, IJ34, IJ35, IJ36 ♦ Fast operation  actuator ♦ IJ37, IJ38, IJ39, IJ40 ♦ High efficiency ♦ IJ41 ♦ CMOScompatible voltages and   currents ♦ Standard MEMS processes can   beused ♦ Easy extension from single   nozzles to pagewidth print headsHigh CTE A material with a very high ♦ High force can be generated ♦Requires special material (e.g. PTFE) ♦ IJ09, IJ17, IJ18, IJ20thermoelastic coefficient of thermal expansion ♦Three methods of PTFEdeposition ♦ Requires a PTFE deposition process,   IJ21, IJ22, IJ23,IJ24 actuator (CTE) such as   are under development:   which is not yetstandard in ULSI fabs   IJ27, IJ28, IJ29, IJ30 polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE) is   chemical vapor deposition (CVD), ♦ PTFE deposition cannot befollowed   IJ31, IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 used. As high CTE materials are   spincoating, and evaporation.   with high temperature (above 350° C.)usually non-conductive, a heater ♦ PTFE is a candidate for low  processing fabricated from a conductive   dielectric constant ♦Pigmented inks may be infeasible, as material is incorporated. A 50 μm  insulation in ULSI   pigment particles may jam the bend actuator longPTFE bend actuator with ♦ Very low power polysilicon heater and 15 mWpower   consumption input can provide 180 μN force and ♦ Many ink typescan be used 10 μm deflection. Actuator motions ♦ Simple planarfabrication include: ♦ Small chip area required for Bend   each actuatorPush ♦ Fast operation Buckle ♦ High efficiency Rotate ♦ CMOS compatiblevoltages   and currents ♦ Easy extension from single   nozzles topagewidth print heads Conductive A polymer with a high coefficient of ♦High force can be generated ♦ Requires special materials ♦ IJ24 polymerthermal expansion (such as PTFE) is ♦ Very low power   development (HighCTE conductive thermoelastic doped with conducting substances to  consumption   polymer) actuator increase its conductivity to about 3 ♦Many ink types can be used ♦ Requires a PTFE deposition process, ordersof magnitude below that of ♦ Simple planar fabrication   which is notyet standard in ULSI fabs copper. The conducting polymer ♦ Small chiparea required for ♦ PTFE deposition cannot be followed expands whenresistively heated.   each actuator   with high temperature (above 350°C.) Examples of conducting dopants ♦ Fast operation   processinginclude: ♦ High efficiency ♦ Evaporation and CVD deposition Carbonnanotubes ♦ CMOS compatible voltages   techniques cannot be used Metalfibers   and currents ♦ Pigmented inks may be infeasible, as Conductivepolymers such as ♦ Easy extension from single   pigment particles mayjam the bend doped polythiophene   nozzles to pagewidth print heads  actuator Carbon granules Shape memory A shape memory alloy such as TiNi♦ High force is available ♦ Fatigue limits maximum number of cycles ♦IJ26 alloy (also known as Nitinol-Nickel   (stresses of hundreds of MPa)♦ Low strain (1%) is required to extend Titanium alloy developed at the♦ Large strain is available   fatigue resistance Naval OrdnanceLaboratory) is   (more than 3%) ♦ Cycle rate limited by heat removalthermally switched between its weak ♦ High corrosion resistance ♦Requires unusual materials (TiNi) martensitic state and its highstiffness ♦ Simple construction ♦ The latent heat of transformation mustaustenic state. The shape of the actuator ♦ Easy extension from single  be provided in its martensitic state is deformed   nozzles to pagewidthprint heads ♦ High current operation relative to the austenic shape. The♦ Low voltage operation ♦ Requires pre-stressing to distort the shapechange causes ejection of a drop.   martensitic state Linear Linearmagnetic actuators include ♦ Linear Magnetic actuators ♦ Requiresunusual semiconductor ♦ IJ12 Magnetic the Linear Induction Actuator(LIA),   can be constructed with   materials such as soft magneticalloys Actuator Linear Permanent Magnet   high thrust, long travel, and  (e.g. CoNiFe) Synchronous Actuator (LPMSA),   high efficiency usingplanar ♦ Some varieties also require permanent Linear ReluctanceSynchronous   semiconductor fabrication techniques   magnetic materialssuch as Actuator (LRSA), Linear Switched ♦ Long actuator travel isavailable   Neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) Reluctance Actuator (LSRA), and♦ Medium force is available ♦ Requires complex multi-phase drivecircuitry the Linear Stepper Actuator (LSA). ♦ Low voltage operation ♦High current operation BASIC OPERATION MODE Actuator This is thesimplest mode of ♦ Simple operation ♦ Drop repetition rate is usuallylimited ♦ Thermal inkjet directly operation: the actuator directly ♦ Noexternal fields required   to less than 10 KHz. However, this is ♦Piezoelectric inkjet pushes ink supplies sufficient kinetic energy to ♦Satellite drops can be avoided if   not fundamental to the method, butis ♦ IJ01, IJ02, IJ03, IJ04 expel the drop. The drop must have a   dropvelocity is less than 4 m/s   related to the refill method normally used  IJ05, IJ06, IJ07, IJ09 sufficient velocity to overcome the ♦ Can beefficient, depending ♦ All of the drop kinetic energy must be   IJ11,IJ12, IJ14, IJ16 surface tension.   upon the actuator used   provided bythe actuator   IJ20, IJ22, IJ23, IJ24 ♦ Satellite drops usually form ifdrop   IJ25, IJ26, IJ27, IJ28   velocity is greater than 4.5 m/s   IJ29,IJ30, IJ31, IJ32   IJ33, IJ34, IJ35, IJ36   IJ37, IJ38, IJ39, IJ40  IJ41, IJ42, IJ43, IJ44 Proximity The drops to be printed are selected by♦ Very simple print head ♦ Requires close proximity between the ♦Silverbrook, EP 0771 some manner (e.g. thermally induced   fabricationcan be used   print head and the print media or   658 A2 and relatedsurface tension reduction of pressurized ♦ The drop selection means  transfer roller   patent applications ink). Selected drops are separatedfrom   does not need to provide the ♦ May require two print headsprinting the ink in the nozzle by contact with   energy required toseparate   alternate rows of the image the print medium or a transferroller.   the drop from the nozzle ♦ Monolithic color print heads aredifficult Electrostatic The drops to be printed are selected ♦ Verysimple print head ♦ Requires very high electrostatic field ♦Silverbrook, EP 0771 pull on ink by some manner (e.g. thermally  fabrication can be used ♦ Electrostatic field for small nozzle   658 A2and related induced surface tension reduction of ♦ The drop selectionmeans   sizes is above air breakdown   patent applications pressurizedink). Selected drops are   does not need to provide the ♦ Electrostaticfield may attract dust ♦ Tone-Jet separated from the ink in the nozzle  energy required to separate by a strong electric field.   the drop fromthe nozzle Magnetic The drops to be printed are selected by ♦ Verysimple print head ♦ Requires magnetic ink ♦ Silverbrook, EP 0771 pull onink some manner (e.g. thermally induced   fabrication can be used ♦ Inkcolors other than black are difficult   658 A2 and related surfacetension reduction of pressurized ♦ The drop selection means ♦ Requiresvery high magnetic fields   patent applications ink). Selected drops areseparated from   does not need to provide the the ink in the nozzle by astrong   energy required to separate magnetic field acting on themagnetic ink.   the drop from the nozzle Shutter The actuator moves ashutter to ♦ High speed (>50 KHz) operation can be ♦ Moving parts arerequired ♦ IJ13, IJ17, IJ21 block ink flow to the nozzle. The ink  achieved due to reduced refill time ♦ Requires ink pressure modulatorpressure is pulsed at a multiple of the ♦ Drop timing can be veryaccurate ♦ Friction and wear must be considered drop ejection frequency.♦ The actuator energy can be very low ♦ Stiction is possible Shutteredgrill The actuator moves a shutter to ♦ Actuators with small travel canbe used ♦ Moving parts are required ♦ IJ08, IJ15, IJ18, IJ19 block inkflow through a grill to the ♦ Actuators with small force can be used ♦Requires ink pressure modulator nozzle. The shutter movement need only ♦High speed (>50 KHz) ♦ Friction and wear must be considered be equal tothe width of the grill holes   operation can be achieved ♦ Stiction ispossible Pulsed A pulsed magnetic field attracts an ♦ Extremely lowenergy ♦ Requires an external pulsed magnetic field ♦ IJ10 magnetic ‘inkpusher’ at the drop ejection   operation is possible ♦ Requires specialmaterials for both the pull on ink frequency. An actuator controls acatch, ♦ No heat dissipation problems   actuator and the ink pusherpusher which prevents the ink pusher from ♦ Complex construction movingwhen a drop is not to be ejected. AUXILIARY MECHANISM (APPLIED TO ALLNOZZLES) None The actuator directly fires the ink ♦ Simplicity ofconstruction ♦ Drop ejection energy must be supplied ♦ Most inkjets,including drop, and there is no external field or ♦ Simplicity ofoperation   by individual nozzle actuator   piezoelectric and thermalbubble. other mechanism required. ♦ Small physical size ♦ IJ01, IJ02,IJ03, IJ04   IJ05, IJ07, IJ09, IJ11   IJ12, IJ14, IJ20, IJ22   IJ23,IJ24, IJ25, IJ26   IJ27, IJ28, IJ29, IJ30   IJ31, IJ32, IJ33, IJ34  IJ35, IJ36, IJ37, IJ38   IJ39, IJ40, IJ41, IJ42   IJ43, IJ44 OscillatingThe ink pressure oscillates, ♦ Oscillating ink pressure can ♦ Requiresexternal ink pressure oscillator ♦ Silverbrook, EP 0771 ink pressureproviding much of the drop ejection   provide a refill pulse, ♦ Inkpressure phase and amplitude must   658 A2 and related (includingenergy. The actuator selects which   allowing higher operating speed  be carefully controlled   patent applications acoustic drops are to befired by selectively ♦ The actuators may operate ♦ Acoustic reflectionin the ink chamber ♦ IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 stimulation) blocking orenabling nozzles. The   with much lower energy   must be designed for  IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 ink pressure oscillation may be achieved ♦ Acousticlenses can be used by vibrating the print head, or pre-   to focus thesound on the nozzles ferably by an actuator in the ink supply. Media Theprint head is placed in close ♦ Low power ♦ Precision assembly required♦ Silverbrook, EP 0771 proximity proximity to the print medium. ♦ Highaccuracy ♦ Paper fibers may cause problems   658 A2 and related Selecteddrops protrude from the ♦ Simple print head construction ♦ Cannot printon rough substrates   patent applications print head further thanunselected drops, and contact the print medium. The drop soaks into themedium fast enough to cause drop separation. Transfer roller Drops areprinted to a transfer roller ♦ High accuracy ♦ Bulky ♦ Silverbrook, EP0771 instead of straight to the print ♦ Wide range of print substrates ♦Expensive   658 A2 and related medium. A transfer roller can also be  can be used ♦ Complex construction   patent applications used forproximity drop separation. ♦ Ink can be dried on the transfer ♦Tektronix hot melt piezoelectric   roller   inkjet ♦ Any of the IJseries Electrostatic An electric field is used to accelerate ♦ Low power♦ Field strength required for separation ♦ Silverbrook, EP 0771 selecteddrops towards the print ♦ Simple print head construction   of smalldrops is near or above air   658 A2 and related medium.   breakdown  patent applications ♦ Tone-Jet Direct A magnetic field is used toaccelerate ♦ Low power ♦ Requires magnetic ink ♦ Silverbrook, EP 0771magnetic field selected drops of magnetic ink ♦ Simple print headconstruction ♦ Requires strong magnetic field   658 A2 and relatedtowards the print medium.   patent applications Cross The print head isplaced in a constant ♦ Does not require magnetic ♦ Requires externalmagnet ♦ IJ06, IJ16 magnetic field magnetic field. The Lorenz force in a  materials to be integrated in the ♦ Current densities may be high,current carrying wire is used to move   print head manufacturing process  resulting in electromigration problems the actuator. Pulsed A pulsedmagnetic field is used to ♦ Very low power operation ♦ Complex printhead construction ♦ IJ10 magnetic field cyclically attract a paddle,which   is possible ♦ Magnetic materials required in print head pusheson the ink. A small actuator ♦ Small print head size moves a catch,which selectively prevents the paddle from moving. ACTUATORAMPLIFICATION OR MODIFICATION METHOD None No actuator mechanical ♦Operational simplicity ♦ Many actuator mechanisms have ♦ Thermal BubbleInk jet amplification is used. The actuator   insufficient travel, orinsufficient force, ♦ IJ01, IJ02, IJ06, IJ07 directly drives the dropejection process.   to efficiently drive the drop ejection process  IJ16, IJ25, IJ26 Differential An actuator material expands more ♦Provides greater travel in a ♦ High stresses are involved ♦Piezoelectric expansion on one side than on the other. The   reducedprint head area ♦ Care must be taken that the materials ♦ IJ03, IJ09,IJ17, IJ18 bend actuator expansion may be thermal, ♦ The bend actuatorconverts   do not delaminate   IJ19, IJ20, IJ21, IJ22, piezoelectric,magnetostrictive, or   a high force low travel ♦ Residual bend resultingfrom high   IJ23, IJ24, IJ27, IJ29, other mechanism. The bend actuatorconverts   actuator mechanism to high   temperature or high stressduring   IJ30, IJ31, IJ32, IJ33, a high force low travel actuatormechanism   travel, lower force mechanism.   formation   IJ34, IJ35,IJ36, IJ37, to a high travel, lower force mechanism.   IJ38, IJ39, IJ42,IJ43,   IJ44 Transient A trilayer bend actuator where the ♦ Very goodtemperature stability ♦ High stresses are involved ♦ IJ40, IJ41 bend twooutside layers are identical. This ♦ High speed, as a new drop ♦ Caremust be taken that the materials actuator cancels bend due to ambient  can be fired before heat dissipates   do not delaminate temperature andresidual stress. The ♦ Cancels residual stress of formation actuatoronly responds to transient heating of one side or the other. Reverse Theactuator loads a spring. When the actuator ♦ Better coupling to the ink♦ Fabrication complexity ♦ IJ05, IJ11 spring is turned off, the springreleases. This can ♦ High stress in the spring reverse theforce/distance curve of the actuator to make it compatible with theforce/time requirements of the drop ejection. Actuator stack A series ofthin actuators are stacked. ♦ Increased travel ♦ Increased fabricationcomplexity ♦ Some piezoelectric ink jets This can be appropriate where ♦Reduced drive voltage ♦ Increased possibility of short circuits ♦ IJ04actuators require high electric field   due to pinholes strength, suchas electrostatic and piezoelectric actuators. Multiple Multiple smalleractuators are used ♦ Increases the force available ♦ Actuator forces maynot add linearly, ♦ IJ12, IJ13, IJ18, IJ20 actuators simultaneously tomove the ink.   from an actuator   reducing efficiency   IJ22, IJ28,IJ42, IJ43 Each actuator need provide only a ♦ Multiple actuators can bepositioned portion of the force required.   to control ink flowaccurately Linear Spring A linear spring is used to transform a ♦Matches low travel actuator ♦ Requires print head area for the spring ♦IJ15 motion with small travel and high   with higher travel requirementsforce into a longer travel, lower force ♦ Non-contact method of motion.  motion transformation Coiled A bend actuator is coiled to provide ♦Increases travel ♦ Generally restricted to planar ♦ IJ17, IJ21, IJ34,IJ35 actuator greater travel in a reduced chip area. ♦ Reduces chip area  implementations due to extreme ♦ Planar implementations are  fabrication difficulty in other orientations.   relatively easy tofabricate. Flexure A bend actuator has a small region ♦ Simple means ofincreasing ♦ Care must be taken not to exceed the ♦ IJ10, IJ19, IJ33bend near the fixture point, which flexes   travel of a bend actuator  elastic limit in the flexure area actuator much more readily than the ♦Stress distribution is very uneven remainder of the actuator. The ♦Difficult to accurately model with actuator flexing is effectively  finite element analysis converted from an even coiling to an angularbend, resulting in greater travel of the actuator tip. Catch Theactuator controls a small catch. ♦ Very low actuator energy ♦ Complexconstruction ♦ IJ10 The catch either enables or disables ♦ Very smallactuator size ♦ Requires external force movement of an ink pusher thatis ♦ Unsuitable for pigmented inks controlled in a bulk manner. GearsGears can be used to increase travel ♦ Low force, low travel ♦ Movingparts are required ♦ IJ13 at the expense of duration. Circular  actuators can be used ♦ Several actuator cycles are required gears, rackand pinion, ratchets, and ♦ Can be fabricated using ♦ More complex driveelectronics other gearing methods can be used.   standard surface MEMSprocesses ♦ Complex construction ♦ Friction, friction, and wear arepossible Buckle plate A buckle plate can be used to change ♦ Very fastmovement achievable ♦ Must stay within elastic limits of the ♦ S. Hirataet al, “An Ink-jet Head a slow actuator into a fast motion. It  materials for long device life   Using Diaphragm Microactuator”, canalso convert a high force, low ♦ High stresses involved   Proc. IEEEMEMS, Feb. 1996, travel actuator into a high travel, ♦ Generally highpower requirement   pp 418-423. medium force motion. ♦ IJ18, IJ27Tapered A tapered magnetic pole can increase ♦ Linearizes the magnetic ♦Complex construction ♦ IJ14 magnetic pole travel at the expense offorce.   force/distance curve Lever A lever and fulcrum is used to ♦Matches low travel actuator ♦ High stress around the fulcrum ♦ IJ32,IJ36, IJ37 transform a motion with small travel   with higher travelrequirements and high force into a motion with ♦ Fulcrum area has nolinear longer travel and lower force. The lever   movement, and can beused can also reverse the direction of travel.   for a fluid seal RotaryThe actuator is connected to a rotary ♦ High mechanical advantage ♦Complex construction ♦ IJ28 impeller impeller. A small angulardeflection ♦ The ratio of force to travel ♦ Unsuitable for pigmentedinks of the actuator results in a rotation of   of the actuator can bethe impeller vanes, which push the   matched to the nozzle ink againststationary vanes and out   requirements by varying the of the nozzle.  number of impeller vanes Acoustic A refractive or diffractive (e.g. zone♦ No moving parts ♦ Large area required ♦ 1993 Hadimioglu et al, lensplate) acoustic lens is used to ♦ Only relevant for acoustic ink jets  EUP 550,192 concentrate sound waves. ♦ 1993 Elrod et al, EUP 572,220Sharp A sharp point is used to concentrate ♦ Simple construction ♦Difficult to fabricate using standard ♦ Tone-jet conductive anelectrostatic field.   VLSI processes for a surface ejecting ink-jetpoint ♦ Only relevant for electrostatic ink jets ACTUATOR MOTION VolumeThe volume of the actuator changes, ♦ Simple construction in the ♦ Highenergy is typically required to ♦ Hewlett-Packard Thermal Inkjetexpansion pushing the ink in all directions.   case of thermal ink jet  achieve volume expansion. This leads ♦ Canon Bubblejet   to thermalstress, cavitation, and kogation   in thermal ink jet implementationsLinear, normal The actuator moves in a direction ♦ Efficient coupling toink drops ♦ High fabrication complexity may be ♦ IJ01, IJ02, IJ04, IJ07to chip normal to the print head surface. The   ejected normal to thesurface   required to achieve perpendicular motion   IJ11, IJ14 surfacenozzle is typically in the line of movement. Parallel The actuator movesparallel to the ♦ Suitable for planar fabrication ♦ Fabricationcomplexity ♦ IJ12, IJ13, IJ15, IJ33, to chip print head surface. Dropejection ♦ Friction   IJ34, IJ35, IJ36 surface may still be normal tothe surface. ♦ Stiction Membrane An actuator with a high force but ♦ Theeffective area of the actuator ♦ Fabrication complexity ♦ 1982 HowkinsU.S. Pat. No. push small area is used to push a stiff   becomes themembrane area ♦ Actuator size   4,459,601 membrane that is in contactwith the ink. ♦ Difficulty of integration in a VLSI process Rotary Theactuator causes the rotation of ♦ Rotary levers may be used ♦ Devicecomplexity ♦ IJ05, IJ08, IJ14, IJ28 some element, such a grill orimpeller   to increase travel ♦ May have friction at a pivot point ♦Small chip area requirements Bend The actuator bends when energized. ♦ Avery small change in ♦ Requires the actuator to be made from ♦ 1970Kyser et al U.S. Pat. No. This may be due to differential   dimensionscan be   at least two distinct layers, or to have a   3,946,398 thermalexpansion, piezoelectric   converted to a large motion.   thermaldifference across the actuator ♦ 1973 Stemme U.S. Pat. No. expansion,magnetostriction, or other   3,747,120 form of relative dimensionalchange. ♦ IJ03, IJ09, IJ10, IJ19   IJ23, IJ24, IJ25, IJ29   IJ30, IJ31,IJ33, IJ34   IJ35 Swivel The actuator swivels around a central ♦ Allowsoperation where the net ♦ Inefficient coupling to the ink motion ♦ IJ06pivot. This motion is suitable where   linear force on the paddle iszero there are opposite forces applied to ♦ Small chip area requirementsopposite sides of the paddle, e.g. Lorenz force. Straighten The actuatoris normally bent, and ♦ Can be used with shape ♦ Requires carefulbalance of stresses to ♦ IJ26, IJ32 straightens when energized.   memoryalloys where the   ensure that the quiescent bend is accurate   austenicphase is planar Double The actuator bends in one direction ♦ Oneactuator can be used to ♦ Difficult to make the drops ejected by ♦ IJ36,IJ37, IJ38 bend when one element is energized, and   power two nozzles.  both bend directions identical. bends the other way when another ♦Reduced chip size. ♦ A small efficiency loss compared to element isenergized. ♦ Not sensitive to ambient   equivalent single bendactuators.   temperature Shear Energizing the actuator causes a ♦ Canincrease the effective ♦ Not readily applicable to other actuator ♦ 1985Fishbeck U.S. Pat. No. shear motion in the actuator material.   travelof piezoelectric actuators   mechanisms   4,584,590 Radial The actuatorsqueezes an ink ♦ Relatively easy to fabricate ♦ High force required ♦1970 Zoltan U.S. Pat. No. constriction reservoir, forcing ink from a  single nozzles from glass ♦ Inefficient   3,683,212 constricted nozzle.  tubing as macroscopic structures ♦ Difficult to integrate with VLSIprocesses Coil/uncoil A coiled actuator uncoils or coils ♦ Easy tofabricate as a planar ♦ Difficult to fabricate for non-planar ♦ IJ17,IJ21, IJ34, IJ35 more tightly. The motion of the free   VLSI process  devices end of the actuator ejects the ink. ♦ Small area required,therefore low cost ♦ Poor out-of-plane stiffness Bow The actuator bows(or buckles) in the ♦ Can increase the speed of travel ♦ Maximum travelis constrained ♦ IJ16, IJ18, IJ27 middle when energized. ♦ Mechanicallyrigid ♦ High force required Push-Pull Two actuators control a shutter.One ♦ The structure is pinned at ♦ Not readily suitable for inkjetswhich ♦ IJ18 actuator pulls the shutter, and the   both ends, so has ahigh   directly push the ink other pushes it.   out-of-plane rigidityCurl inwards A set of actuators curl inwards to ♦ Good fluid flow to the♦ Design complexity ♦ IJ20, IJ42 reduce the volume of ink that they  region behind the actuator enclose.   increases efficiency Curl outwardsA set of actuators curl outwards, ♦ Relatively simple construction ♦Relatively large chip area ♦ IJ43 pressurizing ink in a chamber,surrounding the actuators, and expelling ink from a nozzle in thechamber. Iris Multiple vanes enclose a volume of ♦ High efficiency ♦High fabrication complexity ♦ IJ22 ink. These simultaneously rotate, ♦Small chip area ♦ Not suitable for pigmented inks reducing the volumebetween the vanes. Acoustic The actuator vibrates at a high ♦ Theactuator can be ♦ Large area required for efficient ♦ 1993 Hadimioglu etal, vibration frequency.   physically distant from the ink   operationat useful frequencies   EUP 550,192 ♦ Acoustic coupling and crosstalk ♦1993 Elrod et al, EUP 572,220 ♦ Complex drive circuitry ♦ Poor controlof drop volume and position None In various ink jet designs the actuator♦ No moving parts ♦ Various other tradeoffs are required to ♦Silverbrook, EP 0771 does not move.   eliminate moving parts   658 A2and related   patent applications ♦ Tone-jet NOZZLE REFILL METHODSurface This is the normal way ink jets are refilled. ♦ Fabricationsimplicity ♦ Low speed ♦ Thermal ink jet tension After the actuator isenergized, it ♦ Operational simplicity ♦ Surface tension forcerelatively small ♦ Piezoelectric ink jet typically returns rapidly toits normal   compared to actuator force ♦ IJ01-IJ07, IJ10-IJ14 position.This rapid return sucks in ♦ Long refill time usually dominates the  IJ16, IJ20, IJ22-IJ45 air through the nozzle opening. The   totalrepetition rate ink surface tension at the nozzle then exerts a smallforce restoring the meniscus to a minimum area. This force refills thenozzle. Shuttered Ink to the nozzle chamber is ♦ High speed ♦ Requirescommon ink pressure oscillator ♦ IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 oscillatingprovided at a pressure that oscillates ♦ Low actuator energy, as the ♦May not be suitable for pigmented inks   IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 ink at twicethe drop ejection frequency.   actuator need only open or pressure Whena drop is to be ejected, the   close the shutter, instead of shutter isopened for 3 half cycles;   ejecting the ink drop drop ejection,actuator return, and refill. The shutter is then closed to prevent thenozzle chamber emptying during the next negative pressure cycle. RefillAfter the main actuator has ejected a ♦ High speed, as the nozzle is ♦Requires two independent actuators per ♦ IJ09 actuator drop a second(refill) actuator is   actively refilled   nozzle energized. The refillactuator pushes ink into the nozzle chamber. The refill actuator returnsslowly, to prevent its return from emptying the chamber again. PositiveThe ink is held a slight positive ♦ High refill rate, therefore a ♦Surface spill must be prevented ♦ Silverbrook, EP 0771 ink pressure.After the ink drop is   high drop repetition rate is possible ♦ Highlyhydrophobic print head   658 A2 related pressure ejected, the nozzlechamber fills   surfaces are required   patent applications quickly assurface tension and ink ♦ Alternative for: pressure both operate torefill the   IJ01-IJ07, IJ10-IJ14 nozzle.   IJ16, IJ20, IJ22-IJ45 METHODOF RESTRICTING BACK-FLOW THROUGH INLET Long inlet The ink inlet channelto the nozzle ♦ Design simplicity ♦ Restricts refill rate ♦ Thermalinkjet channel chamber is made long and relatively ♦ Operationalsimplicity ♦ May result in a relatively large chip area ♦ Piezoelectricinkjet narrow, relying on viscous drag to ♦ Reduces crosstalk ♦ Onlypartially effective ♦ IJ42, IJ43 reduce inlet back-flow. Positive Theink is under a positive pressure, ♦ Drop selection and ♦ Requires amethod (such as a nozzle ♦ Silverbrook, EP 0771 ink pressure so that inthe quiescent state some of   separation forces can be reduced   rim oreffective hydrophobizing, or   658 A2 and related the ink drop alreadyprotrudes from ♦ Fast refill time   both) to prevent flooding of the  patent applications the nozzle.   ejection surface of the print head. ♦Possible operation of This reduces the pressure in the nozzle   thefollowing: chamber which is required to eject a   IJ01-IJ07, IJ09-IJ12certain volume of ink. The reduction   IJ14, IJ16, IJ20, IJ22, inchamber pressure results in a reduc-   IJ23-IJ24, IJ36-IJ41 tion in inkpushed out through the inlet.   IJ44 Baffle One or more baffles areplaced in the inlet ♦ The refill rate is not as ♦ Design complexity ♦ HPThermal Ink Jet ink flow. When the actuator is energized,   restrictedas the long inlet method. ♦ May increase fabrication complexity ♦Tektronix the rapid ink movement creates eddies ♦ Reduces crosstalk  (e.g. Tektronix hot melt Piezoelectric   piezoelectric ink jet whichrestric the flow through the   print heads). inlet. The slower refillprocess in un- restricted, and does not result in eddies. Flexible flapIn this method recently disclosed by ♦ Significantly reduces back- ♦ Notapplicable to most inkjet configurations ♦ Canon restricts inlet Canon,the expanding actuator   flow for edge-shooter ♦ Increased fabricationcomplexity (bubble) pushes on a flexible flap   thermal ink jet devices♦ Inelastic deformation of polymer flap that restricts the inlet.  results in creep over extended use Inlet filter A filter is locatedbetween the ink inlet ♦ Additional advantage of ink ♦ Restricts refillrate ♦ IJ04, IJ12, IJ24, IJ27 and the nozzle chamber. The filter has  filtration ♦ May result in complex construction   IJ29, IJ30 a multitudeof small holes or slots, ♦ Ink filter may be fabricated restricting inkflow. The filter also   with no additional process steps removesparticles which may block the nozzle. Small inlet The ink inlet channelto the nozzle ♦ Design simplicity ♦ Restricts refill rate ♦ IJ02, IJ37,IJ44 compared to chamber has a substantially smaller ♦ May result in arelatively large chip area nozzle cross section than that of the nozzle,♦ Only partially effective resulting in easier ink egress out of thenozzle than out of the inlet. Inlet A secondary actuator controls theposition ♦ Increases speed of the ink- ♦ Requires separate refillactuator and ♦ IJ09 shutter of a shutter, closing off the ink inlet  jet print head operation   drive circuit when the main actuator isenergized. The inlet is The method avoids the problem of ♦ Back-flowproblem is ♦ Requires careful design to minimize ♦ IJ01, IJ03, IJ05,IJ06 located behind inlet back-flow by arranging the ink-   eliminated  the negative pressure behind the paddle   IJ07, IJ10, IJ11, IJ14 theink- pushing surface of the actuator   IJ16, IJ22, IJ23, IJ25 pushingsurface between the inlet and the nozzle.   IJ28, IJ31, IJ32, IJ33  IJ34, IJ35, IJ36, IJ39   IJ40, IJ41 Part of the The actuator and a wallof the ink ♦ Significant reductions in ♦ Small increase in fabricationcomplexity ♦ IJ07, IJ20, IJ26, IJ38 actuator moves chamber are arrangedso that the   back-flow can be achieved to shut off motion of theactuator closes off the ♦ Compact designs possible the inlet inlet.Nozzle In some configurations of ink jet, ♦ Ink back-flow problem is ♦None related to ink back-flow on ♦ Silverbrook, EP 0771 658 A2 andactuator there is no expansion or movement   eliminated   actuation  related patent applications does not result of an actuator which maycause ink ♦ Valve-jet in ink back-flow through the inlet. ♦ Tone-jetback-flow NOZZLE CLEARING METHOD Normal All of the nozzles are fired ♦No added complexity on the ♦ May not be sufficient to displace dried ink♦ Most ink jet systems nozzle firing periodically, before the ink has a  print head ♦ IJ01, IJ02, IJ03, IJ04, chance to dry. When not in usethe   IJ05, IJ06, IJ07, IJ09, nozzles are sealed (capped) against air.  IJ10, IJ11, IJ12, IJ14, The nozzle firing is usually   IJ16, IJ20, IJ22,IJ23, performed firing a special clearing   IJ24, IJ25, IJ26, IJ27,cycle, after first moving the print   IJ28, IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, head to acleaning station.   IJ32, IJ33, IJ34, IJ36,   IJ37, IJ38, IJ39, IJ40,  IJ41, IJ42, IJ43, IJ44,   IJ45 Extra power In systems which heat theink, but do not ♦ Can be highly effective if ♦ Requires higher drivevoltage for clearing. ♦ Silverbrook, EP 0771 to ink boil it under normalsituations, nozzle   the heater is adjacent to the nozzle ♦ May requirelarger drive transistors   658 A2 and related heater clearing can beachieved by over-powering   patent applications the heater and boilingink at the nozzle. Rapid The actuator is fired in rapid succession. ♦Does not require extra drive ♦ Effectiveness depends substantially ♦ Maybe used with: succession In some configurations, this may   circuits onthe print head   upon the configuration of the inkjet nozzle   IJ01,IJ02, IJ03, IJ04, of actuator cause heat build-up at the nozzle ♦ Can bereadily controlled   IJ05, IJ06, IJ07, IJ09, pulses which boils the ink,clearing the nozzle.   and initiated by digital logic   IJ10, IJ11,IJ14, IJ16, In other situations, it may cause sufficient   IJ20, IJ22,IJ23, IJ24, vibrations to dislodge clogged nozzles.   IJ25, IJ27, IJ28,IJ29,   IJ30, IJ31, IJ32, IJ33,   IJ34, IJ36, IJ37, IJ38,   IJ39, IJ40,IJ41, IJ42,   IJ43, IJ44, IJ45 Extra power Where an actuator is notnormally ♦ A simple solution where ♦ Not suitable where there is a hardlimit ♦ May be used with: to ink driven to the limit of its motion,  applicable   to actuator movement   IJ03, IJ09, IJ16, IJ20 pushingnozzle clearing may be assisted by   IJ23, IJ24, IJ25, IJ27 actuatorproviding an enhanced drive signal   IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32 to theactuator.   IJ39, IJ40, IJ41, IJ42   IJ43, IJ44, IJ45 Acoustic Anultrasonic wave is applied to the ♦ A high nozzle clearing ♦ Highimplementation cost if system does ♦ IJ08, IJ13, IJ15, IJ17 resonanceink chamber. This wave is of an   capability can be achieved   notalready include an acoustic actuator   IJ18, IJ19, IJ21 appropriateamplitude and frequency ♦ May be implemented at to cause sufficientforce at the nozzle   very low cost in systems to clear blockages. Thisis easiest to   which already include achieve if the ultrasonic wave isat a   acoustic actuators resonant frequency of the ink cavity. Nozzle Amicrofabricated plate is pushed ♦ Can clear severely clogged nozzles ♦Accurate mechanical alignment is required ♦ Silverbrook, EP 0771clearing plate against the nozzles. The plate has a ♦ Moving parts arerequired   658 A2 and related post for every nozzle. A post movesthrough ♦ There is risk of damage to the nozzles   patent applicationseach nozzle, displacing dried ink. ♦ Accurate fabrication is requiredInk The pressure of the ink is temporarily ♦ May be effective where ♦Requires pressure pump or other ♦ May be used with all pressureincreased so that ink streams   other methods cannot be used   pressureactuator   IJ series ink jets pulse from all of the nozzles. This may be♦ Expensive used in conjunction with actuator energizing. ♦ Wasteful ofink Print head A flexible ‘blade’ is wiped across the ♦ Effective forplanar print ♦ Difficult to use if print head surface is ♦ Many ink jetsystems wiper print head surface. The blade is   head surfaces  non-planar or very fragile usually fabricated from a flexible ♦ Low cost♦ Requires mechanical parts polymer, e.g. rubber or synthetic ♦ Bladecan wear out in high volume elastomer.   print systems Separate Aseparate heater is provided at the nozzle ♦ Can be effective where ♦Fabrication complexity ♦ Can be used with ink although the normal drope-ection   other nozzle clearing   many IJ series ink jets boilingmechanism does not require it. The   methods cannot be used heaterheaters do not require individual drive ♦ Can be implemented at nocircuits, as many nozzles can be cleared   additional cost in somesimultaneously, and no imaging is required.   inkjet configurationsNOZZLE PLATE CONSTRUCTION Electroformed A nozzle plate is separately ♦Fabrication simplicity ♦ High temperatures and pressures are ♦ HewlettPackard Thermal Inkjet nickel fabricated from electroformed nickel,  required to bond nozzle plate and bonded to the print head chip. ♦Minimum thickness constraints ♦ Differential thermal expansion LaserIndividual nozzle holes are ablated ♦ No masks required ♦ Each hole mustbe individually formed ♦ Canon Bubblejet ablated or by an intense UVlaser in a nozzle ♦ Can be quite fast ♦ Special equipment required ♦1988 Sercel et al., SPIE, Vol. 998 drilled plate, which is typically apolymer ♦ Some control over nozzle ♦ Slow where there are many thousands  Excimer Beam polymer such as polyimide or polysulphone   profile ispossible   of nozzles per print head   Applications, pp. 76-83 ♦Equipment required is ♦ May produce thin burrs at exit holes ♦ 1993Watanabe et al.,   relatively low cost   U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,604 SiliconA separate nozzle plate is ♦ High accuracy is attainable ♦ Two partconstruction ♦ K. Bean, IEEE Transactions micro- micromachined fromsingle crystal ♦ High cost   on Electron Devices, Vol. ED-25. machinedsilicon, and bonded to the print head ♦ Requires precision alignment  No. 10, 1978, pp 1185-1195 wafer. ♦ Nozzles may be clogged by adhesive ♦Xerox 1990 Hawkin   et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181 Glass Fine glasscapillaries are drawn from ♦ No expensive equipment required ♦ Verysmall nozzle sizes are difficult to form ♦ 1970 Zoltan U.S. Pat. No.capillaries glass tubing. This method has been used ♦ Simple to makesingle nozzles ♦ Not suited for mass production   3,683,212 for makingindividual nozzles, but is difficult to use for bulk manufacturing ofprint heads with thousands of nozzles. Monolithic, The nozzle plate isdeposited as a ♦ High accuracy (<1 μm) ♦ Requires sacrificial layerunder the ♦ Silverbrook, EP 0771 surface micro- layer using standardVLSI deposition ♦ Monolithic   nozzle plate to form the nozzle chamber  658 A2 and related machined techniques. Nozzles are etched in the ♦ Lowcost ♦ Surface may be fragile to the touch   patent applications usingVLSI nozzle plate using VLSI lithography ♦ Existing processes can beused ♦ IJ01, IJ02, IJ04, IJ11 lithographic and etching.   IJ12, IJ17,IJ18, IJ20 processes   IJ22, IJ24, IJ27, IJ28   IJ29, IJ30, IJ31, IJ32  IJ33, IJ34, IJ36, IJ37   IJ38, IJ39, IJ40, IJ41   IJ42, IJ43, IJ44Monolithic, The nozzle plate is a buried etch stop ♦ High accuracy (<1μm) ♦ Requires long etch times ♦ IJ03, IJ05, IJ06, IJ07 etched in thewafer. Nozzle chambers are etched ♦ Monolithic ♦ Requires a supportwafer   IJ08, IJ09, IJ10, IJ13 through in the front of the wafer, andthe wafer ♦ Low cost   IJ14, IJ15, IJ16, IJ19 substrate is thinned fromthe back side. Nozzles ♦ No differential expansion   IJ21, IJ23, IJ25,IJ26 are then etched in the etch stop layer. No nozzle Various methodshave been tried to ♦ No nozzles to become clogged ♦ Difficult to controldrop position ♦ Ricoh 1995 Sekiya et al plate eliminate the nozzlesentirely, to   accurately   U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,413 prevent nozzleclogging. These ♦ Crosstalk problems ♦ 1993 Hadimioglu et al includethermal bubble mechanisms   EUP 550,192 and acoustic lens mechanisms ♦1993 Elrod et al EUP 572,220 Trough Each drop ejector has a trough ♦Reduced manufacturing ♦ Drop firing direction is sensitivie to ♦ IJ35through which a paddle moves.   complexity   wicking. There is no nozzleplate. ♦ Monolithic Nozzle slit The elimination of nozzle holes and ♦ Nonozzles to become clogged ♦ Difficult to control drop position ♦ 1989Saito et al U.S. Pat. No. instead of replacement by a slit encompassing  accurately   4,799,068 individual many actuator positions reduces ♦Crosstalk problems nozzles nozzle clogging, but increases crosstalk dueto ink surface waves DROP EJECTION DIRECTION Edge Ink flow is along thesurface of the ♦ Simple construction ♦ Nozzles limited to edge ♦ CanonBubblejet 1979 Endo et al (‘edge shooter’) chip, and ink drops areejected from ♦ No silicon etching required ♦ High resolution isdifficult   GB patent 2,007,162 the chip edge. ♦ Good heat sinking viasubstrate ♦ Fast color printing requires one print ♦ Xerox heater-in-pit♦ Mechanically strong   head per color   1990 Hawkins et al ♦ Ease ofchip handling   U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181 ♦ Tone-jet Surface Ink flow isalong the surface of the ♦ No bulk silicon etching required ♦ Maximumink flow is severely ♦ Hewlett-Packard TIJ (‘roof shooter’) chip, andink drops are ejected from ♦ Silicon can make an   restricted   1982Vaught et al the chip surface, normal to the plane   effective heat sink  U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,728 of the chip. ♦ Mechanical strength ♦ IJ02,IJ11, IJ12, IJ20   IJ22 Through Ink flow is through the chip, and ink ♦High ink flow ♦ Requires bulk silicon etching ♦ Silverbrook, EP 0771chip, drops are ejected from the front ♦ Suitable for pagewidth printheads   658 A2 and related forward surface of the chip. ♦ High nozzlepacking   patent applications (‘up shooter’)   density therefore low ♦IJ04, IJ17, IJ18, IJ24   manufacturing cost   IJ27-IJ45 Through Ink flowis through the chip, and ink ♦ High ink flow ♦ Requires wafer thinning ♦IJ01, IJ03, IJ05, IJ06 chip, drops are ejected from the rear ♦ Suitablefor pagewidth print heads ♦ Requires special handling during   IJ07,IJ08, IJ09, IJ10 reverse surface of the chip. ♦ High nozzle packing  manufacture   IJ13, IJ14, IJ15, IJ16 (‘down shooter’)   densitytherefore low   IJ19, IJ21, IJ23, IJ25   manufacturing cost   IJ26Through Ink flow is through the actuator, ♦ Suitable for piezoelectric ♦Pagewidth print heads require several ♦ Epson Stylus actuator which isnot fabricated as part of the   print heads   thousand connections todrive circuits ♦ Tektronix hot melt same substrate as the drive ♦ Cannotbe manufactured in standard   piezoelectric ink jets transistors.   CMOSfabs ♦ Complex assembly required INK TYPE Aqueous, dye Water based inkwhich typically ♦ Environmentally friendly ♦ Slow drying ♦ Most existingink jets contains: water, dye, surfactant, ♦ No odor ♦ Corrosive ♦ AllIJ series ink jets humectant, and biocide. ♦ Bleeds on paper ♦Silverbrook, EP 0771 Modern ink dyes have high water- ♦ Maystrikethrough   658 A2 and related fastness, light fastness ♦ Cocklespaper   patent applications Aqueous, Water based ink which typically ♦Environmentally friendly ♦ Slow drying ♦ IJ02, IJ04, IJ21, IJ26 pigmentcontains: water, pigment, surfactant, ♦ No odor ♦ Corrosive   IJ27, IJ30humectant, and biocide. ♦ Reduced bleed ♦ Pigment may clog nozzles ♦Silverbrook, EP 0771 Pigments have an advantage in ♦ Reduced wicking ♦Pigment may clog actuator mechanisms   658 A2 and related reduced bleed,wicking and ♦ Reduced strikethrough ♦ Cockles paper   patentapplications strikethrough. ♦ Piezoelectric ink-jets ♦ Thermal ink jets  (with significant restrictions) Methyl MEK is a highly volatilesolvent ♦ Very fast drying ♦ Odorous ♦ All IJ series ink jets Ethyl usedfor industrial printing on ♦ Prints on various substrates ♦ FlammableKetone (MEK) difficult surfaces such as aluminum cans.   such as metalsand plastics Alcohol Alcohol based inks can be used ♦ Fast drying ♦Slight odor ♦ All IJ series ink jets (ethanol, 2- where the printer mustoperate at ♦ Operates at sub-freezing ♦ Flammable butanol, temperaturesbelow the freezing   temperatures and point of water. An example of thisis ♦ Reduced paper cockle others) in-camera consumer photographicprinting. ♦ Low cost Phase The ink is solid at room temperature, ♦ Nodrying time-ink instantly ♦ High viscosity ♦ Tektronix hot melt changeand is melted in the print head before   freezes on the print medium ♦Printed ink typically has a ‘waxy’ feel   piezoelectric ink jets (hotmelt) jetting. Hot melt inks are usually ♦ Almost any print medium ♦Printed pages may ‘block’ ♦ 1989 Nowak U.S. Pat. No. wax based, with amelting point   can be used ♦ Ink temperature may be above the  4,820,346 around 80° C. After jetting the ink ♦ No paper cockle occurs  curie point of permanent magnets ♦ All IJ series ink jets freezes almostinstantly upon ♦ No wicking occurs ♦ Ink heaters consume powercontacting the print medium or a ♦ No bleed occurs ♦ Long warm-up timetransfer roller. ♦ No strikethrough occurs Oil Oil based inks areextensively used ♦ High solubility medium for ♦ High viscosity: this isa significant ♦ All IJ series ink jets in offset printing. They have  some dyes   limitation for use in inkjets, which advantages in improved♦ Does not cockle paper   usually require a low viscosity. Somecharcacteristics on paper (especially ♦ Does not wick through paper  short chain and multi-branched oils no wicking or cockle). Oil soluble  have a sufficiently low viscosity. dies and pigments are required. ♦Slow drying Micro- A microemulsion is a stable, self ♦ Stops ink bleed ♦Viscosity higher than water ♦ All IJ series ink jets emulsion formingemulsion of oil, water, and ♦ High dye solubility ♦ Cost is slightlyhigher than water based ink surfactant. The charcateristic drop ♦ Water,oil, and amphiphilic ♦ High surfactant concentration required size isless than 100 nm, and is   soluble dies can be used   (around 5%)determined by the preferred ♦ Can stabilize pigment curvature of thesurfactant.   suspensions.

We Claim
 1. A method of creating a set of instructions for themanipulation of an image, said method comprising the steps of: (a)displaying an initial array of sample images for a user to select from;(b) accepting a user's selection of at least one of said sample images;(c) utilizing attributes of the images of said selection to produce afurther array of sample images; (d) iteratively applying steps (a) to(c) until such time as said user selects at least one final suitableimage; (e) utilising the steps used in the creation of said sample imageas said set of instructions; (f) outputting said set of instructions. 2.A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of scanning aUser's photograph and utilising said scanned photograph as an initialimage in the creation of each of said sample images.
 3. A method asclaimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of printing out saidinstructions in an encoded form for subsequent utilization by said user.4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein said instructions are printedout in an encoded form on one surface of a card in addition to printingout a visual representation of said instructions on a second surface ofsaid card.
 5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step (c) ofutilizing attributes of the images utilizes genetic algorithm orprogramming techniques to create said array.
 6. A method as claimed inclaim 1 further comprising the step of saving a series of selectedimages and utilizing said saved series in said production of a furtherarray of images.
 7. An apparatus when implementing the method inaccordance with any of claims 1 to 6 above.
 8. An apparatus as claimedin 7 wherein said apparatus is in the form of a vending machine.